Many people substitute diet soda for regular soda, thinking that it’s a healthier choice and can help them lose weight and curb cravings. This just isn’t the case. For so many, opening a can of diet soda in the afternoon is an everyday occurrence. The boost of caffeine and sweet taste of the soda is addictive, and a tough habit to quit. Most do not realize that ingesting diet sodas can actually lead to weight gain, a slower metabolism and increased cravings for sugar and starchy carbs like bread. Recent research in animal studies showed that the rats that consumed artificial sweeteners had a much slower metabolism and gained weight, and held on to that weight.
Artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame and sucralose are hundreds to thousands of times sweeter than natural sugar and can dramatically increase cravings for sugar. High fructose corn syrup is also sweeter than regular sugar. With the increased intake of sugar and artificial sweeteners, our taste buds become hijacked. This is why kicking the habit is so difficult. If you are trying to regain your health and manage sugar cravings, eliminating diet soft drinks is an essential piece of the puzzle.
What exactly is high fructose corn syrup?
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is not the same as sugar, despite the persistent advertising and media campaign to persuade the public that this is truth. It is a chemically extracted substance that is actually sweeter than sugar with a higher percentage of fructose compared with sugar. Why does this matter? Fructose is actually digested, absorbed and metabolized differently in the body as compared with glucose. Fructose does not stimulate insulin secretion or enhance leptin production, which help regulate food intake and body weight. This physiological response within the body contributes to an increase in total caloric intake aiding in weight gain and obesity. Dr. Mark Hyman explains that HFCS does not require digestion and therefore is rapidly absorbed in the bloodstream, causing a very sudden blood sugar spike. In addition, it wreaks havoc on the gut lining, causes inflammation within the body, and contributes to heart disease, cancer, dementia, liver damage and obesity. Yikes.
What is Aspartame?
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that is added to thousands of diet foods including Diet Coke and several other diet sodas. Many people choose diet sodas for “health reasons”. They mistakenly believe that drinking or eating “diet” foods and beverages will help them lose weight, regulate blood sugar and regain their health. Unfortunately these beliefs are just myths and ingesting sugar substitutes can actually exacerbate these issues.
Aspartame directly affects brain function. It increases plasma and brain levels of phenylalanine, which can be neurotoxic and affect the way that neurotransmitters work in the brain. There have been many reports of people experiencing neurological and behavioral issues following the consumption of aspartame. Scientists have studied the relationship between seizures and consumption of aspartame. Scary stuff!
One more fun fact about diet sodas: they increase the risk of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). Many diabetics drink diet sodas to replace their normal sugary pick me up drink. However, diet drinks are just as detrimental as their sugary counterpoints. A recent study showed that consumption of both sugar sweetened drinks and artificially sweetened drinks increased the risk of T2D. In a study conducted in France, the researchers followed 66,118 women over the course of 14 years. Their data showed that women who drank diet drinks, compared to those who drank sugar sweetened drinks, had higher incidences of Type 2 Diabetes. They found that drinking diet soda did in fact increase cravings for sugar.
Now what?
If you are addicted to soda, gradually wean yourself off of them, unless you want to go cold turkey. Consider substituting your soda with a sparkling water, to get your carbonation fix. The extra hydration will help you manage fatigue if you are frequently looking for an afternoon pick me up. We often feel tired because we are dehydrated! Drink more water throughout the day, and try adding fruit to a big pitcher or bottle of water. Basil, strawberries, cucumber and lemon are great additions, and add an extra boost of vitamins, too!
Are you now wondering what to do with that non-refundable case of sodas you recently purchased? You’re in luck. Soda almost has the same acidity as battery acid. Because of this, you can do some great household cleaning with a can of Coke. Yet another reason you do NOT want this stuff in your body. Try these out at home - 20 uses for soda from John Summerly.
1. Removes grease stains from clothing and fabric
2. Removes rust; methods include using fabric dipped in Coke, a sponge or even aluminum foil. Also loosens rusty bolts
3. Removes blood stains from clothing and fabric.
4. Cleans oil stains from a garage floor; let the stain soak, hose off.
5. Kills slugs and snails; the acids kills them.
6. Cleans burnt pans; let the pan soak in the Coke, then rinse.
7. Descales a kettle (same method as with burnt pans)
8. Cleans car battery terminals by pouring a small amount of Coke over each one.
9. Cleans your engine; Coke distributors have been using this technique for decades.
10. Makes pennies shine; soaking old pennies in Coke will remove the tarnish.
11. Cleans tile grout; pour onto kitchen floor, leave for a few minutes, wipe up.
12. Dissolves a tooth; Use a sealed container...takes a while but it does work.
13. Removes gum from hair; dip into a small bowl of Coke, leave a few minutes. Gum will wipe off.
14. Removes stains from vitreous china.
15. Got a dirty pool? Adding two 2-liter bottles of Coke clears up rust.
16. You can remove (or fade) dye from hair by pouring diet Coke over it.
17. Remove marker stains from carpet. Applying Coke, scrubbing and then clean with soapy water will remove marker stains.
18. Cleans a toilet; pour around bowl, leave for a while, flush clean.
19. Coke and aluminum foil will bring Chrome to a high shine.
20. Strips paint off metal furniture. Soak a towel in Coke laying it on the paint surface.
Are you ready to take the soda free challenge? Let me know how it goes!
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